Brooke and Lilly’s story

Bluebell Wood has been a big part of mum Gemma’s life for the last few years; both of her incredible daughters were referred here for support.

Her eldest daughter Brooke was five when she first came to Bluebell Wood. At birth she was diagnosed with a number of conditions including cerebral palsy, a liver condition and brain damage.

Gemma said: “Brooke had very complex medical conditions. She was always smiling and happy, she loved the attention she got when she stayed for respite at Bluebell Wood.

“When we first came here, we just felt at home. Brooke would come for respite and it was so comforting knowing that she was in such safe hands at Bluebell Wood.”

Then, two years ago, Brooke’s younger sister Lilly-Mai started coming to the hospice for day care. She was diagnosed with liver and heart conditions at just six months. The lovely sisters would also come for respite together too.

Towards the end of 2014, Brooke became unwell and her whole family, including Lilly-Mai and their brother Jordan and step-dad Luke, came to Bluebell Wood.

Together, they were able to spend precious moments together knowing the Care Team were on hand for anything they needed.

“I knew that we wanted to be here for Brooke’s end of life care and we wouldn’t have asked for anything to be any different. All of our family members could be here throughout and it meant so much for us to be around familiar faces,” added Gemma.

“Lilly-Mai and Jordan were both entertained while we could plan funeralarrangements for Brooke. We could be here once she’d passed away, staying in an End of Life suite gave everybody time to saygoodbye to beautiful Brooke.”

Now, Lilly-Mai continues to come to Bluebell Wood for day care and respite. Jordan loves being part of Bluebell Wood’s sibling group because he can be around children facing similar experiences to him.

Gemma also finds spending time with Bluebell Wood’s team really helpful and she’s a member of our Parent and Grandparent Group.

“I don’t know what we’d have done without the help and support of Bluebell Wood. All of family members were able to benefit from Bluebell Wood’s care. We have made amazing memories here and we look forward to coming back,” said Gemma.

Tilly has hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, which means she didn’t get enough oxygen to her brain when she was born. Now she comes to Bluebell Wood with her mum, Rebecca, and her big brother, Gabriel, where she loves meeting new people and relaxing in the spa pool.

William is Paul and Michelle’s ‘miracle boy’. Before he was born he had a stroke and spent the first nine months of his life in hospital. Despite facing so many challenges, William has never stopped smiling, and he loves coming to Bluebell Wood.

Mia was a happy, bubbly nine-year-old who was always on the go. In August 2018 she was diagnosed with a rare condition where the body reacts aggressively to an infection, and she died eight days later. Her family spend valuable time together at Bluebell Wood after she passed away.

Four month old Lily died at Bluebell Wood in February 2017 after being born with a rare heart condition. Her mum and dad, Ella and Ryan, call the hospice their lifeline, and they still visit with their son, Oliver.

Chester and Rhianna were born at just 26 weeks old in 2009, and they spent their first year in hospital fighting for their lives. Chester has brain damage and Hirschsprung disease, which means he can’t pass poo normally, and now visits Bluebell Wood for short breaks. His mum and dad, Lisa and Ian, tell his story:

Charlotte Lee calls daughter Gracie her snow baby. Born in January 2009 following a healthy pregnancy, Gracie’s arrival was a few months after young Sheffield mum Charlotte had received the surprise but welcome news that she was expecting. However, over the next few years Gracie had some developmental issues, which led to a sad discovery.

Olivia is a bubbly, chatty teenager who loves singing, and all things Harry Potter. She lives in Sheffield with her mum and dad, Michelle and Russell, and her brothers, Harry and Finley, and loves spending time at Bluebell Wood.

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